Third Party Car Insurance VS Comprehensive Cover

There are several key factors that come into play when you have to choose a car insurance scheme. One such point of concern is deciding whether to choose a comprehensive car insurance scheme or a standalone third-party car insurance scheme. In India, insurers sell both comprehensive covers and standalone third-party covers. While comprehensive motor policies cover both personal damages and third-party liabilities, standalone third-party car insurance cannot be used for own personal damages.

What Is Comprehensive Car Insurance Coverage?

A comprehensive policy, as the name suggests, offers overall protection against damages to both parties involved in an accident. This scheme is extensive, and it covers damages to car, theft, legal liability to third-party, and personal accident cover. The policy coverage can be further improvised by opting for add-ons like accessories cover, engine protector, zero depreciation cover, medical expenses, etc. This coverage is highly popular since it offers end-to-end coverage and hence ensures less stress for the policyholder.

Without a comprehensive insurance cover, you risk paying from your pocket for expensive repairs of damages following an accident. Comprehensive car insurance in India is often costlier than standalone third-party insurance cover. However, it provides a lot more benefits to the insured compared to standalone third-party covers.

Comprehensive car insurance often includes coverage for: theft, fire, natural disasters like a hurricane or a tornado, vandalism, falling objects, Damage done to your car by animals, civil disturbance, like a riot that results in damage or destruction of your car.

Essential Components Of Comprehensive Car Insurance Policy:

A comprehensive car insurance policy is the highest form of protection you can buy for your vehicle. It is always recommended to have comprehensive insurance even though the law does not mandate it. With a comprehensive insurance plan, you can be rest assured that the potential losses due to accidents are easily taken care of. Some of the essential components of comprehensive car insurance are as follows:

It provides protection against damages from accidents, even if you are at fault.

It provides end-to-end protection for a vehicle even against theft or damages caused by natural disasters.

Add-on covers like zero depreciation and engine protection are also available along with comprehensive insurance covers.

No additional premium is required for covering third-party liabilities in the case of accidents.

Reasons to Upgrade to Comprehensive Car Insurance:

Comprehensive is also known as “other than collision” coverage because it normally includes coverage for:

Without comprehensive coverage, a car insurance claim cannot be made if your vehicle receives damage that is not due to collision. For high valued cars, this type of insurance is desirable as an additional protection.

Comprehensive Car Insurance Exclusions:

Aging, wear and tear, etc. of the vehicle

Depreciation

Electrical or Mechanical breakdown

Damage to tyres and tubes. However if the vehicle is damaged at the same time, liability of the company will be limited to 50% of the replacement cost.

Damage caused by a person driving without a valid license.

Damage caused due to drunken driving or driving under the influence of drugs.

Loss/ damage caused by war, mutiny or nuclear risk.

Third-Party Car Insurance:

Third-party car insurance offers cover against any legal liability to a third party caused when you are at fault. It covers any damage or injury caused by the insured, to another person or property. A third-party liability cover is made mandatory in India under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. There is no specific limit on the liability coverage for injuries or death of a third party. However, liability coverage for property damages sustained by a third party is capped at Rs.7.5 lakh.

Benefits Of Buying Third-party Car Insurance:

This type of car insurance covers the owner in case of any legal liability owing to death or injury to any individual or damage to any property caused by the insured vehicle. The Motor Vehicle Act stipulates that a third-party claim can be made under the categories of "no fault liability claims" where the claimant is under no obligation to allege and prove negligence on the part of the vehicle that caused the accident or "fault liability claims".

Third-party Car Insurance Exclusions:

Third-party only car insurance policy does not cover the cost of damages to a vehicle or the belongings in the vehicle in case of an accident. It will also not provide cover if your car or belongings are stolen or destroyed.

Difference Between Third-party & Comprehensive Cover:

One major difference between third-party insurance and comprehensive insurance is the range of protection offered to you and your vehicle. While a comprehensive plan provides multiple protection covers for you and your vehicle, a third-party cover is limited to offering protection against the claims of a third party. The strengths and weaknesses of these two types of car insurance depends on several underlying factors. It is necessary to better understand these variables in order to compare, analyze and decide upon the right car insurance scheme.

Value of the car: If value of your car is low, it is better to take third-party motor insurance since repairs to damages caused can be managed cost-efficiently and easily. It is cheaper to pay for repairs when compared to paying the high premiums associated with comprehensive cover. However, if the car is brand new and expensive, comprehensive cover is the better option.

Coverage: Third-party insurance covers damages to third-party vehicle, injuries caused to other people in an accident, as well as damage to third-party property. Some companies charge extra for third-party property coverage. This coverage has become a priority these days since cost of repairing damages to the car is high. But it does not provide you any coverage against damages to your own vehicle.

Expense: A comprehensive cover is more expensive than a third-party cover since it provides coverage for a wide variety of damages/injury/loss.

What Insurance Cover Is Right For You?

If what you are looking for is coverage for yourself and your vehicle, a comprehensive car insurance policy is what you need. It is a wider coverage plan since it has provisions for third-party as well. Comprehensive coverage policy is expensive as compared to just third-party insurance cover. In the end, choosing the right insurance cover comes down to your specific requirements. If you own a new, high-end car, it is a good idea to have a comprehensive cover that offers maximum protection for your vehicle. You can also choose additional covers like engine protection to ensure that your vehicle is well-protected. A standalone third-party cover could be opted for old vehicles that are no longer in prime condition.

It is better to be safe, than sorry. Accidents happen unexpectedly, and it can heavily weigh on your finances. There might be slight variations in the benefits and exclusions depending on the insurance agency and it is advisable to check the terms and conditions in detail before taking a policy. To attain peace of mind when it comes to getting the right coverage, take a third-party or comprehensive insurance that meets all your requirements.

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News About Third Party VS Comprehensive Car Cover

Maruti Suzuki Swift Sport will not be launched in India

Maruti Suzuki has become one of the biggest players in the country in the automotive arena. The senior executive director of Maruti Suzuki has confirmed that the new Swift Sport will not be launched in the country like the past two generations of the Swift. The Suzuki Swift Sport is powered by a 1.4 litre boosterjet turbo petrol engine, with a power of 140 PS and a torque of 230 Nm. The car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/hr in 8.1 seconds. The Swift Sport might not be something that will turn out to be a best selling product for Maruti Suzuki. This is because performance based hatchbacks generally do not do a great number of sales. Example is the 105PS Baleno RS, which has done underwhelming sales in comparison to the standard variant of the same. The same case could be made other cars like the Polo GT TSI and the Abarth Punto. The Swift Sport has a price of around Rs.16 lakh in the UK and is almost Rs.2 lakh more expensive than the standard variant of the Swift in the UK. According to all of this, the Swift would most likely be priced at around Rs.10 lakh. Regular buyers of cars generally do not prefer hatchbacks that are competitively prices and tend to prefer sedans or SUVs instead.

30 October 2018

15 Lakh Cars Sold in India by Honda

Honda Cars, which came to India around 20 years ago in 1998, has achieved the 1.5 million milestone with regard to sales. The first ever vehicle launched by the company in the country was the Honda City, which remains the most crucial contributor towards sales for the Japanese automaker. Honda Jazz and Honda Amaze are the next two biggest contributors towards sales. The company has 8 cars is different segments in the country. The Honda Civic is about to return to Indian markets in what comes as good news for the company. In addition, the new Honda CR-V is also expected to be launched in the country next month. The sales and distribution network of the company is routed through 341 facilities that are spread across 231 cities all over India. Ever since the first vehicle was sold by the company in 1998, Honda Cars India Limited had attained the first five lakh sales in 2012 after 14 years in the market. In October 2015, the company attained the 10 lakh sales milestones, and the next milestone of 15 lakh was attained in just 34 months following the previous milestone.

25 October 2018

MG ERX5 Electric SUV showcased at the Global Mobility Summit

MG Motor India, a subsidiary of SAIC Motor Corp recently showcased their electric SUV, the ERX5 at the MOVE: Global Mobility Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a look at the ERX5 which is a rebadged version of the Roewe ERX5 which was first showcased in China about a year ago. Reports suggest that the ERX5 electric SUV has a range of 425 kilometres on a single charge. With the fast charging system, the car can be charged up to 80% within 45-60 minutes.

The Roewe ERX5 SUV which is sold in China is equipped with internet connected systems and features like navigation, voice control, remote control, and many more. The battery of the Roewe ERX5 is built up to the IP67 standard and the company guarantees battery quality for 2 lakh kilometres or 8 years. Reportedly, the company is also looking at electric, fuel cell technology, and plug-in hybrid technology for the Indian market. The company has set up an ambition of having 300 customer touch points over the time period of the next few years and that is likely to include service centres as well.

24 October 2018

Upcoming Multi Purpose Vehicles in India

Manufacturers are looking at the upcoming festival season as the ideal time to launch their new vehicles. While most of the compact car segments have a huge market in India, multi-purpose vehicles still have a considerable amount of importance due to the price range and the practicality with which the cabin is designed. Toyota Innova Crysta is currently the leading player when it comes to vehicles of this segment. This however could be set to change with a number of new multi-purpose vehicles expected to be launched in India in the coming months. The new cars include the new Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Facelift, Mahindra Marazzo, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 7-Seater and many more. The Mahindra Marazzo is expected to rival the Innova Crysta. The price of the Mahindra Marazzo could start somewhere around Rs.10 lakhs and could go up to Rs.15 lakhs. The price range of this car will be somewhere between the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the Toyota Innova Crysta. The highly anticipated second generation Ertiga was revealed by Japanese automaker Suzuki at the Indonesia International Motor Show that was held in 2018. The new generation Maruti is expected to be longer and wider than the existing model. The new Suzuki Ertiga is expected to get an all new engine from the K-series family. The new variant of the Ertiga is expected to come in two new colors in a total of seven colors, namely Pearl Glorious Brown and Metallic Magma Grey. The new Wagon R 7 seater multi-purpose vehicle will have a third row of seats and will be much wider. The Wagon R MPV is expected to compete with the Datsun GO+.

9 October 2018

Honda Brio showcased at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Motor Show

Honda has showcased the new generation Brio hatchback at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Motor Show at Jakarta. The car now has styling similar to the Honda Small RS Concept and a design similar to the Honda Amaze. There are two variants of the Brio, i.e., the standard and the RS variant that is sportier.

The engine details of the car have not been revealed as yet. The company is likely to reveal additional details of the model in a few weeks time.

26 September 2018

Bookings Open For Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Facelift

Many Maruti Suzuki dealers in India have opened bookings for the Ciaz facelift. The booking can be done with an amount ranging from Rs.11,000 to Rs.21,000. The refreshed version of the car has received significant cosmetic changes and a host of advanced features and upgrades. With the launch of the car, Suzuki aims to bring its sales back on track as the same has seen a significant drop in the past few months due to lack of new launches in a long time. Maruti Suzuki believes that the facelifted Maruti Suzuki Ciaz will help the company strengthen its position in the premium sedan segment.

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Maruti Suzuki May Launch An Entry Level Car in 2020

As per some media reports, Maruti Suzuki is working to develop an entry level car which may be launched in 2020. The car is expected to have a petrol engine with the capacity of 800cc-1000cc. The challenge for the carmaker is to ensure that the car remains ahead in terms of regulations and norms that will prevail in 2020. The car may be placed between the entry level Alto 800 and Wagon R hatchbacks in the Maruti Suzuki lineup.

22 August 2018

Diesel Version of BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo Launched In India Starting At Rs 66.5 lakh

BMW, the German automaker has launched the diesel version of its 6 Series Gran Turismo in India at a starting price of Rs.66.5 lakh. The locally produced diesel variant of the luxury car will be available in two design schemes – M Sport and Luxury Line. Powered by a 6-cylinder 3-litre diesel engine, the car can go from 0 to 100 kmph in just 6.1 seconds. The newly launched diesel variant of the car will be available across all the dealerships in India.

1 August 2018

Nissan’s EV Leaf to be Launched in 2018

After a lot of anticipation, Nissan has finally revealed that it will finally launch the Leaf EV in India towards the end of 2018. The second-generation Leaf EV will be imported to India as a CBU since Nissan is not hoping to make big sales on the model.

The car is expected to be priced between Rs.40 to 50 lakh. Nissan is hoping for the Leaf to be viewed as a technology demonstrator rather than a mass-market EV. The vehicle will be made compatible with the charging infrastructure available in India. The EV is powered by a 40Wh battery that generates up to 140hp.

24 July 2018

Italian Carmaker Maserati to Unveil 6 New Cars in Next 5 years

Maserati, the Italian carmaker plans to launch 6 new car models in the coming five years to take on its rivals Porsche and Tesla. The upcoming launches will include a compact SUV, the much awaited Alfieri supercar, and four other electric-powered cars. The Alfieri will be built on an aluminium frame and will come in three advanced powertrains. As per the company, the upcoming car will be able to hit a speed of 100 kmph in just 2 seconds. To take on Tesla, the brand will also launch four electric powered cars under a ‘Maserati Blue’ moniker.

Third Party Car Insurance VS Comprehensive Cover
Reviews

I had a claim experience once. It was amazing experience. I was just submitted the cocuments in the dealer and they have taken care of all the things. They have given the 100% coverage value. I have started using this HDFC ergo car insurance for past 1 year. I have paid a premium amount as Rs. 40000. I never interacted with the customer care services.

My car is insured with TATA AIG general insurance,i got insurance through my agency, and i am not aware about premium amount it on yearly, It is a easy process, I have no claim experience so far with this insurance policy.

I hold a car insurance policy with HDFC ERGO from long time, i got this insurance through showroom as agent himself gave this insurance, I am not aware of the premium amount for this insurance policy. I have no claim experience so far with this insurance policy.

I have a car insurance with Reliance general insurance from last 1 year, a premium of Rs 24795 has to be paid for this insurance policy. I have no claim experience so far with this insurance policy and this policy has full coverage with 0% depreciation.

My car insurance was offered by the Tata Showroom when I purchased a car. I have paid 24,000 rupees to purchase the policy for 2 years. They are giving bumper to bumper offer for one year and IDV for 2 years. I am happy with the service and policy. I have received the insurance papers on time.

I have a car insurance with Kotak Mahindra . The services are good. Its a one year policy. It was included on the loan so don't know the premium. I don't have any claim experience. It was taken in May 2013 and it was renewed with the third party. The policy coverage is very good. There is no bumper to bumper offer.

I hold a car insurance with HDFC ERGO from last 1 year, a premium of Rs 12200 has to be paid for this insurance policy. This policy has full coverage with 0% depreciation. My claim experience was not good, the bill amount was for Rs 40000 but they covered only Rs 26000. There was no cashless garage facility provided.

When i purchase my car, they have provided the car insurance policy with National and they have charged me a premium amount of Rs. 14000. I have taken a one time claim. The claim experience was very good. They have given me a claim amount of Rs. 11000. The claim was fully cashless covered. I pay for the consumable items

My Maruthi Swift car got the insured declared value of Rs. 5 lakhs with New India company. I have comprehensive plan with bumper to bumper it covers loss, damage, accidental cover with life cover for the driver for maximum of one lakh. If we pay Rs.50 rupees extra with the premium.

National insurance is good, I have been holding the car policy with them around one year. My car showroom person have suggested this policy, I got better insured declared vehicle. Its new car brand swift dezire with bumper to bumper protection.

The dealer have suggested the IFFCO TOKIYO car policy, I got the better IDV value for bumper to bumper zero depreciation plan. I got the policy documents on time, I had a claim once, I directly approached the dealer they taken money from the cover. But I have paid 20 to 30% of amount according to the parts which was not covered.

I have taken the card insurance where i have a good experience with this policy. I have experienced with the claim which is reimbursement and i got no complete claim. The policy coverage is for basic but the premium and the IDV value is good with this policy.

I have purchased the two wheeler policy with the UNITED INDIA INSURANCE and i am using it from past three years where i am facing with no issues with this policy. I have no claim experience added on that the premium and also the IDV value is good with this policy.

When I purchased a car, the showroom has offered me a car insurance with Reliance. I have paid 12,000 rupees for this policy. The customer support is excellent. The claim experience is excellent and have applied for accidental claim, It was approved within few more days, zero depreciation was provided, All items been replaced of the car.The policy coverage is good, bumper to bumper offer is available. Every year am renewing my insurance only with RELIANCE.

I have compared in online for car insurance and gone for HDFC Ergo. The top one is Reliance and HDFC, though reliance is providing more benefits since I know HDFC is very well so opted for HDFC Ergo. It is a easy process. No claim gone till now. I have paid 12K to purchase and bumper to bumper offer is available.

They have literally detrayed me when i apply for a claim. There are some issue with the policy documents itself. When I met with an accident they said they will process the claim. After 3 days they said there is an issue with the policy. I called the customer care service but no one was picked up the call. After 4 days, they have issued the new policy and i got the car after 7 working days only from the garages.

I selected Bajaj Allianz for my car. I chosen the company because of the lower premium rates. They have sent all my documents to my residential address. They do have regular follow up with the customer regarding the car insurance. I never had any issues with this policy. I pay the premium amount of Rs. 6300 and i have not availed the bumper to bumper facility. They have provided me the no claim bonus upto 50%.

I hold a car insurance policy with HDFC ERGO from last 1 year, I am not aware of the premium amount for this insurance policy. I have no claim experience so far with this insurance policy. I am happy with the coverage value of this insurance policy.

I am having a car insurance policy with Bajaj Allianz and i have taken this policy for 2 years. A premium of Rs 17000 has to be paid for this insurance policy. I have no claim experience so far with this insurance policy and this policy has full coverage with 0% depreciation.

My car is insured with HDFC ERGO from last 1 year and it is a good insurance policy. I pay a premium of Rs 5000 for this car insurance policy. I have no claim experience so far with this car insurance policy. This policy covers only bumper to bumper damage.

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